Method and device for detecting a device in a wireless power transmission system

ABSTRACT

A wireless power transmitter capable of detecting a receiver and a method for the same is described. According to some implementations, the transmitter is configured to detect the presence of the receiver by detecting a change in capacitance in the transmitter by detecting the change in a current flowing through a capacitive circuit at the transmitter. According to some implementations, the capacitive circuit is formed by a first transmission coil corresponding to a first electrode and a second transmission coil corresponding to a second electrode. According to some implementations, the capacitive circuit is formed by a transmission coil as an electrode and a ground, or by the electrode and the receiver circuitry.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to power transmission technology.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

To charge the batteries of battery-powered devices, such as cellularphones, PDAs, remote controls, notebooks etc., or directly power devicessuch as lamps or kitchen appliances, an inductive power system enablinga wireless power transfer can be applied. Inductive power systems fortransferring power or charging mobile devices are, for example, knownfrom WO 2008/050260. Such a system in general comprises a powertransmitting device, hereafter called transmitter, comprising aplurality of transmitter coils which can individually be energized,thereby generating an alternating magnetic field. The inductive powersystem further comprises a power receiving device comprising a loadrequiring power. In order to receive power, the power receiving deviceis provided with a receiver coil, in which the alternating magneticfield, provided by the energized transmitter coils, induces a current.This current can drive the load of the receiving device, for examplecharge a battery or light a lamp. Hereafter a power receiving device isreferred to as a receiver comprising a receiver coil and a load.

It is very important to enable a low, preferably (virtual) zero, standbypower. For example, when there is no device on the wireless powertransmitter, the power dissipation should be almost zero.

US patent application US2008/0157909 provides a system for detecting thecoupling between a transmitter coil of the power transmitter device anda receiver coil of the power receiving device. While energizing thetransmitter coil, a current sensor monitors the current through thetransmitter coil to decide whether the receiver coil of the powerreceiving device is coupled to the transmitter coil. The system requiresthe energizing of the transmitter coil on a regular basis and results intoo much energy consumption by the power transmitter device especiallywhen no power receiving device is present.

If the system of said US patent application is used in the powertransmitter device which comprises a plurality of transmitter coils,each one of the transmitter coils has to be energized on a regularbasis, leading to a further increase of power usage. Further, theregular energizing of the transmitter coil introduces at regularinstants an electromagnetic field which may cause, for example,electromagnetic interference, or may erase information on a magneticstrip, for example, of a bank card when the bank card is accidentallylaid on the power transmitter device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to provide a method and a transmitter with lowpower consumption in standby mode.

A first aspect of the invention provides a method of detecting areceiver by a transmitter as claimed in claim 1. A second aspect of theinvention provides a transmitter for detecting a receiver as claimed inclaim 8. A third aspect of the invention provides a method of detectinga receiver by a transmitter as claimed in claim 12. A fourth aspect ofthe invention provides a transmitter for detecting a receiver as claimedin claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependentclaims.

In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, a method ofdetecting a receiver by a transmitter is provided. The transmitter isintended to transmit power inductively to the receiver. The transmittercomprises a first transmission coil as a first electrode and comprises asecond electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode form acapacitor. The method comprises a step of applying a voltage to any oneof the electrodes, and comprises a step of detecting a capacitancechange of the capacitor.

The present invention proposes a method of and a device for detectingwhether the receiver is placed on the surface of the transmitter bycapacitive detection, which is fast and does not interfere withinductive power transfer. Hence, detection of devices on a wirelesscharging pad is not interfered by another device already being chargedon the same pad. Moreover, the proposed detection method works at little(or virtually no) power dissipation.

The method is based on the fact that a device that is placed on asurface of the transmitter will change the capacitance between twoelectrodes located below the surface of the transmitter, or between oneelectrode and ground, or between one electrode and the receiver. Theplacement of such devices on the transmitter surface changes thecapacitances of the capacitors that exist between the differentelectrodes. This results from the induced change in dielectric constantof the space between the two electrodes, or in dielectric distancebetween the two electrodes, or a combination of a change in dielectricconstant and dielectric distance. In the context of the invention, thismethod is also referred to as “capacitive detection method”.

The detection of a capacitance change may be performed relatively powerefficiently compared to inductive detection. As long as the capacitancedoes not change and when a DC voltage is used, no current flows from andto the capacitor—only when the capacitance changes a small amount ofcurrent flows from or towards the capacitor. Also if an AC voltage isapplied to the capacitor and the AC voltage may be properly dimensioned,a relatively small amount of current flows through the capacitor. Thus,the current through the capacitor may be relatively small orsubstantially equal to zero and therefore the power consumption of thecapacitive detection method is relatively low. The detecting may beperformed power efficiently, for example, by means of a low powerconsumption integrated circuit. Thus, the method of detecting a receiveris relatively power efficient.

Further, capacitive detection does not require the inductive operationof the transmission coils and, thus, no electromagnetic field isgenerated and no electromagnetic interference is created.

Still further, the use of the first transmission coil as one of theelectrodes reduces the number of components that are required to build atransmitter which uses capacitive detection to detect a receiver.Instead of introducing an additional first electrode and a secondelectrode, the method of the invention requires only the introduction ofa second electrode, and therefore the transmitter has a less complicateddesign and saves costs.

In an embodiment, the transmitter further comprises a secondtransmission coil which acts as the second electrode. That is to say,two neighboring transmission coils can be used as two electrodes of acapacitor. The detection of the presence and location of a receiver coilcan be done by means of measuring the capacitance change of thecapacitor formed by two transmission coils.

A first transmission coil operates as a first capacitor electrode, whichis connected to a first terminal. The neighboring transmission coiloperates as a second capacitor electrode, which is connected to a secondterminal. Another coil nearby operates for example as a third capacitorelectrode, which is connected to a third terminal. The location of thereceiver coil with respect to the location of the transmitter coilsdetermines the capacitance between the first and second terminals, or,for example, between the first and third terminals.

In other words, the transmitter may have more than one transmissioncoil. Each pair of transmission coils of the transmitter may form acapacitor. By using a first transmission coil as the first electrode andthe second transmission coil as the second electrode, an efficient useof components of the transmitter is realized. No additional electrodeshave to be introduced in the surface of the transmitter, which preventspossible interactions between transmission coils of the transmitter andthe additional electrodes.

If a receiver is placed on top of the first transmission coil, on top ofthe second transmission coil, or partly on the first transmission coiland/or partly on the second transmission coil, the capacitance of thecapacitor formed by the two transmission coils changes, which isdetected by the detection circuitry. Thus, the detection reveals that areceiver is placed on or close to the first transmission coil, and/or onor close to the second transmission coil. This knowledge may start afurther process of receiver identification by the transmitter, or powertransfer to the receiver may be started by the first transmission coiland/or the second transmission coil.

If the transmitter has a plurality of transmission coils and if betweeneach pair of neighboring transmission coils the capacitance is monitoredto detect changes in the capacitance, a reasonably accurate estimate ofthe location of the receiver with respect to the position of thetransmission coils may be obtained. The detected position may be used toactivate a further process of receiver identification or to start powertransfer to the receiver by a transmission coil which is close orclosest to the detected position of the receiver.

As an example of this embodiment, detection circuitry is connected tothe second coil, and a voltage is applied to the first transmissioncoils, said detection circuitry being used for monitoring thecapacitance change between the capacitor formed by the first coil andthe second coil.

In another embodiment, the second electrode of the capacitance ispositioned in the center of the first transmission coil.

The embodiment proposes to localize a receiver by using capacitivedetection. The method will involve almost no power consumption, is fastand does not interfere with the inductive power transfer. The detectioncapacitor is realized between a primary coil as first electrode and asecond electrode that is positioned in the center of the primary coil.The detection of a receiver therefore corresponds directly to theposition of the power transmitter coil and requires a less complexlocalization algorithm.

In other words, the provision of an electrode in the center of the firsttransmission coil allows a more accurate detection of the position ofthe receiver with respect to the position of the first transmissioncoil. Especially, the transmitter is able to distinguish more accuratelybetween a situation wherein the receiver is exactly positioned on top ofthe first transmission coil and another situation wherein the receiverpartly covers the first transmission coil. If the receiver is positionedexactly on top of the first transmission coil, the capacitance changewill be larger than in cases where the receiver is partially positionedon top of the first transmission coil.

Further, if the transmitter comprises a plurality of transmission coils,each transmission coil being provided with an electrode in the center ofthe transmission coil, each one of the transmission coils forms acapacitor with its central electrode. If a receiver is placed on thesurface of the transmitter, one of the capacitors shows the largestchange of its capacitance. Said capacitor is the capacitor formed by thetransmission coil and its corresponding central electrode that isclosest to the receiver. Thus, it is relatively simple to decide whichtransmitter coil is closest to the receiver.

The second electrode can have several shapes, including a round, oval,rectangular metal plate, possibly with slits to reduce Eddy currents, acoil, a set of thin conductors connected to each other at one side, etc.The second electrode may be positioned exactly in the center of thefirst transmission coil, however, to form a capacitor between the firsttransmission coil and the second electrode the second electrode may alsobe positioned off-center. It is only necessary that the second electrodeis positioned within the first transmission coil.

As an example of this embodiment, detection circuitry is connected toany one of the electrodes of the capacitor, and a voltage is applied tothe first transmission coils, the detection circuitry detecting thecapacitance change between the capacitor formed by the firsttransmission coil and the second electrodes in the center of the firsttransmission coil.

A wireless power transmitter for detecting a receiver device, saidtransmitter comprising a first transmission coil as the first electrodeof a capacitor and a second electrode of the capacitor positioned in thecenter of the first transmission coil, the transmitter furthercomprising detection circuitry connected to any one of the electrodes ofthe capacitor, said transmitter comprising:

-   -   a first unit for applying a voltage to the first transmission        coils,    -   detection circuitry for detecting the capacitance change of a        capacitor formed by the first and second electrodes.

In an embodiment, a winding of the first transmission coil comprises aninner part of the winding and an outer part of the winding. The innerpart of the winding is the first electrode and the outer part of thewinding is the second electrode.

If the inner winding and the outer winding are, for example, in astandby mode of the transmitter device, disconnected from each other,the arrangement becomes a capacitive arrangement, where the inner partand the outer part are used as electrodes. The capacity between theseelectrodes increases if a device with capacitive properties is placed ontop of the arrangement. By measuring the capacitance, using one of thedescribed methods, a device can be detected. If a device is detected,the inner winding and the outer winding may become connected to operatethe transmitter coil as an inductive power transmitter. No additionalelectrodes have to be provided in the surface of the transmitter. Usingthe inner winding and the outer winding allows accurate detection of theposition of the receiver with respect to the position of the firsttransmission coil.

In a further embodiment, the detected capacitance change indicates thatthe receiver is in the proximity of the transmitter. The method furthercomprises the step of activating the transmitter so that the transmitterstarts to communicate with the receiver or transmit power to thereceiver.

The embodiment allows the transmitter to enter a low-power sleep state,from which it is woken up upon detection of an event related to awireless power receiver. Such event can be the detection of a capacitivechange.

In other words, when no receiver is detected, the transmitter is instandby mode, which means that no transmission coil is activated totransmit power or communicate with a receiver. If a capacitance changeis detected, most probably the receiver is placed on the transmitter.Thus, the transmitter is woken up, which means that the standby mode isended and that the transmitter enters an operational mode. In theoperational mode the transmitter may inductively provide power to thereceiver, or may first start with an additional communication process tofurther identify the receiver. In the operational mode, one or moretransmission coils of the transmitter are used to inductively transferpower to the receiver, or inductively communicate with the receiver.

In an embodiment, the applied voltage is an AC voltage, or a DC voltage,or a voltage pulse, or a step function.

If a voltage, which is applied to one of the electrodes of thecapacitor, is an AC voltage, a current flows through the capacitor whichis proportional to the capacitance of the capacitor. By correctlydimensioning the value and the frequency of the AC voltage, the currentmay be relatively small, such that a small amount of power isdissipated. Changes in the current relate to a possible placement of areceiver on the transmitter. Detecting changes in a current, for exampleby detecting whether the current exceeds a predefined value, and/or bydetecting whether the current decreases below a predefined value, isrelatively simple and may be performed power efficiently.

If the applied voltage is a voltage pulse or a step function, theresponse of the capacitor in the time domain may be analyzed by thedetection circuitry. Depending on the capacitance of the capacitor, aspecific response may be detected. If the receiver is placed on thetransmitter, the response is different from a situation in which thereceiver is not placed on the wireless power device.

Measuring a characteristic of the response may be done by coupling aresistor in series with the capacitor and applying the voltage pulse orstep function to the series arrangement. The voltage across thecapacitance rises when the voltage changes form neutral to a predefinedvalue, and depending on the predefined value of the voltage and thecapacitance of the capacitor a specific rise may be measured. Thecapacitance increases when a device is placed, and therefore the risetime is longer if the device is placed. When a voltage pulse of adefined length is applied to the series arrangement, the voltage acrossthe capacitor gradually decreases when the applied voltage falls fromthe predefined voltage to the neutral voltage. The decay time is ameasure of the capacitance of the capacitor.

In a further embodiment, the transmitter comprises a plurality ofcapacitances formed by the first and second electrode pairs. The methodfurther comprises the step of detecting the capacitance change of eachone of the plurality of capacitors, and comprises the step ofdetermining the position of the receiver depending on which one of theplurality of capacitors' capacitance change has been detected.

By providing a plurality of electrodes, each neighboring pair ofelectrodes forms a capacitor. By detecting a capacitance change betweeneach one of the pairs of electrodes, the transmitter is capable ofdetecting relatively accurately where the receiver is positioned on thetransmitter. The capacitances which have the largest change incapacitance are close to the receiver.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a transmitter fordetecting a receiver is provided. The transmitter is intended totransmit inductively to the receiver. The transmitter comprises a firsttransmission coil as a first electrode and a second electrode. The firstelectrode and the second electrode form a capacitor. The transmitterfurther comprises a first unit for applying a voltage to any one of theelectrodes, and detection circuitry connected to any one of theelectrodes of the capacitance for detecting a capacitance change of thecapacitor.

In an embodiment, the transmitter further comprises a secondtransmission coil being the second electrode.

In another embodiment, the second electrode is positioned in the centerof the first transmission coil.

In a further embodiment, the detection of the capacitance changeindicates that the receiver is in the proximity of the transmitter, andthe transmitter comprises a second unit for activating the transmitterso that the transmitter may start to communicate with the receiver ortransmit power to the receiver.

The transmitter and embodiments of the transmitter provide the samebenefits as the method according to the first aspect of the inventionand corresponding embodiments of the method according to the firstaspect of the invention. The transmitter has similar embodiments withsimilar effects as the corresponding embodiments of the method.

According to a third aspect of the invention, another method ofdetecting a receiver by a transmitter is provided. The transmitter isintended to transmit power inductively to the receiver. The transmittercomprises a first transmission coil as an electrode. The methodcomprises the steps of applying a voltage to the electrode, anddetecting a capacitance change of a capacitor formed by the firstelectrode and ground or formed by the first electrode and the receiver.

The first electrode forms a capacitance with ground or with a receiver.If a receiver comes in the proximity of the first electrode, thecapacitance changes and a charge will flow towards the first electrodeor away from the first electrode. By detecting the current to or fromthe first electrode, an effective and efficient solution for detectingthe receiver is obtained which is not a complicated design and thussaves costs.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, a further transmitterfor detecting a receiver is provided. The transmitter is intended totransmit power inductively to the receiver. The transmitter comprises afirst transmission coil as a first electrode, a first unit for applyinga voltage to the electrode, and detection circuitry connected to theelectrode for detecting a capacitance change of a capacitor formed bythe electrode and ground or the electrode and a receiver.

In the context of this document, it is to be noted that the use of theword capacitor does not refer to a lumped capacitor. Further,transmitter, power transmitter and wireless power transmitter areinterchangeable terms in the context of the invention. A characteristicof the transmitter is that the transmitter is intended for inductivelytransmitting power to a receiver. Receiver, receiver device and powerreceiver device are interchangeable terms in the context of theinvention. A characteristic of the receiver is that the receiver isintended to inductively receive power. Further, the first unit forapplying a voltage to any one of the electrodes or any one of thetransmission coils may be a voltage source.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will beelucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that two or more ofthe above-mentioned embodiments, implementations, and/or aspects of theinvention may be combined in any way deemed useful.

Modifications and variations of the system and/or the method, whichcorrespond to the described modifications and variations of the system,can be carried out by a person skilled in the art on the basis of thepresent description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts the principle of capacitive detection according to thepresent invention,

FIG. 2a depicts the basic structure for capacitive detection accordingto the present invention,

FIG. 2b depicts a plurality of different circuit topologies for thecapacitive detection,

FIG. 3 depicts a block schematic representation system of a freepositioning transmitter according to the invention,

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic representation circuit of the system in FIG.3,

FIG. 5 depicts a circuit according to the first embodiment of thepresent invention,

FIG. 6 depicts an equivalent circuit of FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 depicts a transmitter surface covered by multiple coils,

FIG. 8 depicts a capacitive detection system according to an embodiment,

FIG. 9 depicts a capacitive detection system according to an embodiment,

FIG. 10 depicts a capacitive detection system with localizationaccording to another embodiment,

FIG. 11 depicts a first example of detection circuitry when a DC voltageis applied,

FIG. 12 depicts a second example of detection circuitry when a DCvoltage is applied,

FIG. 13 depicts a third example of a detection circuitry when a DCvoltage is applied,

FIG. 14 depicts a fourth example of detection circuitry when an ACvoltage is applied,

FIG. 15 depicts an example with a star-shaped electrode in the center ofa primary coil,

FIG. 16 depicts a transmitter with a single coil represented by L1 and adetection capacitor,

FIG. 17 depicts an embodiment where the detection unit measures avoltage instead of a current,

FIG. 18 depicts an outline of the capacitance measuring circuit betweentwo coils,

FIG. 19 depicts a basic outline of the capacitive measuring circuitbetween a coil and a centered electrode,

FIG. 20a depicts a mechanical outline with implemented capacitance,

FIG. 20b depicts an equivalent electrical circuit of the describedmeasurement method,

FIG. 20c depicts an equivalent electrical circuit of the describedsecond embodiment of the measurement method,

FIG. 21 depicts a plot of the dielectric permittivity spectrum over awide range of frequencies. The real and imaginary parts of permittivityare shown, and various processes are depicted: ionic and dipolarrelaxation, and atomic and electronic resonances at higher energies,

FIG. 22 depicts a low standby power architecture,

FIG. 23 schematically shows a flow diagram of the method of theinvention.

It should be noted that items denoted by the same reference numerals indifferent Figures have the same structural features and the samefunctions, or are the same signals. Where the function and/or structureof such an item have been explained, there is no necessity for repeatedexplanation thereof in the detailed description.

The Figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Particularlyfor clarity, some dimensions are exaggerated strongly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts the principle of a method of detecting a device 106 thatis placed on the surface 102 of the transmitter according to the presentinvention. Electrodes 108, 110, 112, 114 beneath the transmitter surfaceare used to detect devices 106 to be charged that are placed on thetransmitter surface 102. The method is based on the fact that a device106 that is placed on a surface 102 of a transmitter will change thecapacitance between two electrodes 108, 110, 112, 114 located below thetop surface 102 of a transmitter. The placement of such devices 106 onthe transmitter surface 102 changes the value of the capacitance thatexists between the different electrodes 108, 110, 112, 114. This resultsfrom the induced change in dielectric constant of part of the spacebetween the two capacitor plates formed by the electrodes 108, 110, 112,114, the dielectric distance of the two electrodes or a combinationthereof. The change in capacitance is represented in FIG. 1 by thedifference in the pattern of the electric field lines 104 between acovered and an uncovered surface.

For a parallel plate capacitor, the capacitance between the twoelectrodes is given by

$\begin{matrix}{C = \frac{ɛ\; A}{d}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

wherein ε is the dielectric constant of the medium between the plates, Ais the area of the plates and d is the distance between the plates.Hence, the capacitance is linearly dependent on the dielectric constantof the medium between the plates. For two plates in the same plane amore complex relation exists. However, the dependency on the dielectricconstant remains. For a capacitor formed between two electrodes 108,110, 112, 114 below the surface 102 of a transmitter, the dielectricconstant will change (increase) when a device 106 is placed on thetransmitter top surface 102. The resulting change in capacitance may bedetected in several ways.

FIG. 2a depicts a method of detection according to an embodiment. Avoltage source 216 is employed to apply a voltage, which may be an AC orDC voltage of an amplitude larger than or equal to zero, to oneelectrode 204 (representing one capacitor plate). Detection circuitry212, connected to another electrode 206 (representing the secondcapacitor plate), is used to monitor the capacitance between the twoelectrodes 204, 206 forming a capacitor 202. A change in capacitance isindicative of device 214 placement and this event will be signaled bymeans of a detection signal 208. Lines 210 represent the electricalfield lines between the electrodes 204, 206 of the capacitor 202.

When a DC voltage is applied across the capacitor 202 and when a device214 is subsequently placed on the transmitter the charge redistributionresults in a small current that can be detected as a voltage across asense resistor.

The change in charge stored on the capacitor plate is given byΔQ=U·ΔC  (2)

wherein U is the DC voltage applied to the capacitor and ΔC is thechange in capacitance upon placement of the device.

The resulting current is given by

$\begin{matrix}{i = \frac{\partial Q}{\partial t}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

wherein ∂Q/∂t is the charge per unit time flowing towards the capacitorplate. It is to be noted that charge redistribution will also occur whena device comprising a static charge is placed. Hence the detectionsignal may comprise a component as a result of a change in capacitanceand/or a component as a result of placing a statically charged device.

When an AC voltage is applied across the capacitor 202, a current flowsthrough the capacitor and the current may be monitored. When thecapacitance increases upon placement of device 214, the amplitude of thecurrent flowing will also increase, indicating the presence of thedevice 214. The current amplitude is given byi=u·ωC  (4)

wherein u is the applied AC voltage across the capacitor 202, ω is thefrequency of the applied AC voltage and Cis the capacitance between theelectrodes 204, 206. Hence, the current depends linearly on thecapacitance that changed upon device 214 placement. Note that thecurrent can be kept arbitrarily small to limit power dissipation.

The method of detecting the receiver through a capacitance change is aso-termed analog ping method and is based on a change of the capacitanceof an electrode on or near the interface surface, due to the placementof an object on the interface surface.

The method is particularly suitable for power transmitters that use freepositioning, because it enables implementations that have a very lowstand-by power, and yet exhibit an acceptable response time to a user.The reason is that (continuously) scanning the interface surface forchanges in the arrangement of objects and power receivers thereon is arelatively costly operation. In contrast, sensing changes in thecapacitance of an electrode can be very cheap (in terms of powerrequirements). Note that capacitance sensing can proceed withsubstantial parts of the base station powered down.

Power transmitter designs that are based on an array of primary(transmission) coils can use the array of primary coils as the electrodein question. For that purpose, the multiplexer should connect all (or arelevant subset of) primary coils in the array to a capacitance sensingunit—and at the same time disconnect the primary coils from the drivingcircuit. Power transmitter designs that are based on a moving primarycoil can use the detection coils on the Interface Surface as electrodes.

It is recommended that the capacitance sensing circuit is able to detectchanges with a resolution of 100 fF or better. If the sensed capacitancechange exceeds some implementation-defined threshold, the powertransmitter can conclude that an object is placed onto or removed fromthe interface surface. In that case, the power transmitter shouldproceed to localize the object(s) and attempt to identify the powerreceivers on the interface surface.

FIG. 2b depicts a plurality of alternative circuit topologies for thecapacitive detection. In embodiment (i) two electrodes form a capacitor.In embodiment (ii) two transmitter coils 218 form the capacitor.Embodiments (i)-(iv) match with embodiments (viii)-(xi), respectively,and they differ with respect to the position of the detection circuitry212. In embodiments (i) to (iv) the detection circuitry is connected toelectrode 204, 206 to which also the voltage of the voltage source 216is applied. In embodiments (viii)-(xi) the voltage source 216 isconnected to another electrode of the capacitor than the detectioncircuitry 212. In embodiments (v) and (xii) is shown that a plurality oftransmitter coils 218 or a plurality of electrodes 204, 206 may beconfigured such that they form a plurality of capacitors in a parallelconfiguration. It is to be noted that embodiments (iii), (iv), (viii) to(xi) may also have their respective counterpart wherein a plurality ofcapacitors are arranged in a parallel configuration.

Embodiments (vi), (vii), (xiii) and (xiv) of FIG. 2b show another aspectof the invention. The detection circuit 212 and voltage source 216 areconnected to the same electrode 220. The electrode can be a dedicatedelectrode or can be formed by one or more transmitter coils. Thecapacitor formed by this electrode 220 and ground 222 is monitored bythe detection circuit 212. The detection circuit 212 measures, at apredefined applied voltage which can be an AC voltage, a DC voltage or apulse pattern, the current flowing towards the electrode 220, which isindicative of the capacitance. Upon device placement, the capacitancewill change and therefore the current flowing towards the electrode willchange. Hence, a sudden change in current flowing towards the electrodeindicates device placement. In the embodiment (xiii) a transmitter coilis used as the single electrode, and in embodiments (vii) and (xiv) aplurality of electrodes and/or a plurality of transmitter coils areconnected in parallel such that they each form a capacitor with respectto ground or the receiver.

FIG. 3 depicts a block schematic representation of an exemplary freepositioning reference transmitter. In this Figure, hexagonal coils L1,L2 are used for power transfer and are located in the same plane next toeach other. Although only two coils L1, L2 are shown, there are morecoils (in fact the whole plane may be filled with coils) to enable freepositioning of the receiver on the transmitter, i.e. multiplexers MUX1,MUX2 are used to select the coils located directly below the receiverfor power transfer. The multiplexers MUX1, MUX2 connect the appropriatecoil L1, L2 to a series capacitor C1, C2, such that the combination ofcoil L1, L2 and capacitor C1, C2 forms a resonant tank circuit requiredfor efficient power transfer. The resonant tank is driven from ahalf-bridge circuit HB1, HB2. Finally, a sense resistor Rsense is usedto monitor the coil current for control purposes.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic representation of the system in FIG. 3. Thehalf-bridge HB1, HB2 consists of two FETs M1, M2, M3, M4 that are drivenfrom a microcontroller (not shown). The supply voltage applied to thehalf-bridge is generally between 12V and16V. The multiplexer MUX1, MUX2consists of switches that are used to connect the appropriate coil L1,L2 to the half-bridge driver.

Although for power transfer the coils L1, L2 are used as inductors, thisinvention aims at using two adjacent coils L1, L2 as the two plates of acapacitor. The value of this capacitor will change upon placement of adevice on the transmitter surface. This value can be monitored using thesame hardware as that used for power transfer. This is shown in FIG. 5.If the multiplexer switches are set and the FETs connected according toFIG. 5, the resulting equivalent circuit is shown in FIG. 6. The 12 V DCvoltage applied will result in a DC voltage across the capacitor Ceqformed by the two coils L1, L2. No current will flow when in steadystate operation, i.e. no power is dissipated. When a device is placed onthe transmitter surface, a small current will flow towards the Ceq,which can be detected as a voltage across Rsense.

A complete transmitter pad 700, consisting of a large number of coils,can be monitored simultaneously in convenient way. The coils on atransmitter surface are shown in FIG. 7. A DC voltage is applied to thegrey coils 704 and the current is sensed (upon device placement) withwhite coils 702. In this way all the coils of the pad 700 can be sensedsimultaneously, while still location information is obtained when areceiver device is sensed.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment according to this invention. In thisembodiment two adjacent coils 810, 812 of a system 800, which areotherwise used for inductive power, form the capacitor 802. Using thisembodiment, dedicated detection electrodes are not required. As opposedto a previously discussed embodiment, a dedicated voltage source 808 maybe used and furthermore dedicated detection circuitry 804 is used. Thevoltage source 808 is employed to apply a voltage, which may be an AC orDC voltage of amplitude larger than or equal to zero. Depending on theapplied voltage, suitable detection circuitry 804 is applied whichgenerates a detection signal 806. Several of these detection circuits804 may be used in parallel to obtain simultaneous detection andlocalization. The coils 810, 812 to which a voltage is applied may forinstance be the grey coils in FIG. 7, while the coils connected todetection circuits 804 could be the white coils.

FIG. 9 shows another, third embodiment according to this invention. Thisembodiment uses dedicated detection electrodes 904, 906 and circuitry.Many configurations of electrodes 904, 906 are possible, which all fallwithin the scope of this invention. FIG. 10 depicts another example ofan electrode configuration. In the example of FIG. 9 two interdigitatedelectrodes 904, 906 are used in the surface 902 of the transmitterdevice. The voltage source 808 is employed to apply a voltage, which maybe an AC or DC voltage of amplitude larger than or equal to zero, anddepending on the applied voltage, suitable detection circuitry 804 isused. Localization of the device on the transmitter surface 902, ifrequired, may be performed using other (known) methods, like forinstance by trying to communicate with the device via a local magneticor electric field.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment according to this invention. In thisembodiment, electrodes are present in two layers 1002, 1004 below thetransmitter surface. Dedicated detection circuitry 1006, 1008 is presentfor each possible horizontal and vertical position (layers 1002, 1004).A control system 1010 controls the applied voltages, processes theoutput signals of the detection circuits 1006, 1008 and generates thedetection signal 1012 that now also conveys information about thelocation of the detected device. This electrode configuration has theadvantage that the number of detection circuits 1006, 1008 scales withthe square root of the transmitter area. However, other electrodeconfigurations are possible that also allow combined detection andlocalization. These configurations all fall within the scope of thisinvention.

Combined detection and localization may alternatively be obtained byusing a single detection circuit combined with a plurality of voltagesources applying voltages having location-dependent frequencies. Theamplitude of the different spectral components in the detection signalthen conveys detection and location information.

In the following, examples of detection circuits are presented. However,other implementations may also be used. These alternative circuits alsofall within the scope of this invention.

FIG. 11 depicts an implementation of the detection circuitry 1102 when aDC voltage larger than or equal to zero Volt is applied to one of theelectrodes of the capacitor C. Upon device placement the value of C willchange and, as result of the voltage across C being constant, the amountof charge on the capacitor plates will change. This flow of charge, orcurrent, is supplied by an operational amplifier. In the configurationshown in FIG. 11, the current flowing towards C is also flowing throughthe feedback resistor of the op-amp, resulting in a voltage change atthe output of the op-amp. Hence, the charge current is converted to avoltage. This voltage is amplified in the (NPN) transistor circuit, suchthat initially the detection signal 1104 is equal to the transistorsupply voltage, while upon device placement the detection signaldecreases to below 0.5 V. A microprocessor μP connected to the detectioncircuit 1102 can be configured such that it registers this change involtage, which is indicative of device placement.

The circuit 1202 in FIG. 12 differs from that in FIG. 11 to the extentthat a diode and capacitor are inserted in the base of the transistor.This capacitor is charged during the device placement and slowlydischarged through the base of the transistor, thereby increasing thetime that the detection signal 1104 is low, allowing easier detection ofthis state by the μP.

The circuit 1302 of FIG. 13 differs from that in FIG. 11 to the extentthat the transistor circuit is substituted by a comparator 1304 with acertain threshold voltage Vref. The output of the comparator 1304 iszero if the output voltage of the op-amp is smaller than Vref, and equalto its supply voltage if the op-amp 1306 output voltage exceeds Vref.The output of the comparator 1304 is monitored by a microprocessor μP.Optionally, a diode and a capacitor may be added between the output ofthe comparator 1304 and the input of the microprocessor μP to extend theduration of the detection signal.

FIG. 14 depicts a detection circuit 1402 that is suitable if an ACvoltage Vref is applied. The change in capacitance induced by theplacement of a device results in a change in amplitude of the outputsignal of the op-amp 1404. This amplitude is obtained by subjecting thisop-amp 1404 output signal to demodulation in a demodulator 1406 andfiltering in a low pass filter 1408.

A detection capacitor 1502, which is for example shown in FIG. 15, isrealized between a primary coil 1504 as first electrode and a secondelectrode 1506 that is positioned in the center of the primary coil1504. The second electrode can have several shapes, including a round,oval, rectangular metal plate, possibly provided with slits to reduceEddy currents, a coil, a set of thin conductors, connected to each otherat one side, etc.

FIG. 15 shows an example with a star-shaped electrode 1506 in the centerof a primary coil 1504. The Figure also shows on the right-hand side asymbolic representation of the detection capacitor formed between theprimary coil 1504 and the second electrode 1506.

When a device is placed on or removed from the primary coil 1504, thevalue of the capacitor C changes. The value increases significantly whena device covers the second electrode 1506 of C (placed in the center ofthe primary coil 1504) and at least part of the primary coil 1504. Thecapacitance does not increase much when the device does not cover thesecond electrode 1506 of C. The capacitor C is therefore well suited todetect whether a device is positioned on top of a primary coil 1504.

FIG. 16 shows transmitter circuitry 1602 with a single coil representedby L1 and a detection capacitor C2. A serial resonance circuit is formedby L1 and C1. The resonance circuit is driven by a half bridge inverterrepresented by the switches S1 and S2. A detection unit 1604 isconnected via switch S3 to detect a change in the current to C2. Duringdetection, the switches S1 and S2 are both open, or at least one is openand the other one is closed, while S3 is closed. During power transfer,S3 is open and S1 and S2 are closed in alternation. When a device isplaced on or removed from the primary cell, the value change of C2results in a small current towards/from C2 to be measured by thedetection unit 1604. The direction of the current caused by the changeof the capacitance of C2 can be applied to determine the direction ofthe movement of the device in relation to the primary cell. If a deviceis moved towards the transmitter cell, the capacitance will rise,resulting in a positive current. If the device is removed from the cell,the capacitance will decrease, resulting in a negative current.

The transmitter can be equipped with a matrix of primary cells, whereineach primary cell contains at least a primary coil, a detectioncapacitor and a detection unit. Alternatively, all detection capacitorsare connected in parallel to one detection circuit. In this case nolocalization information is obtained. The transmitter can determine theposition and shape of a device that is placed on the surface of thetransmitter, by examining which detection units have measured anincrease of the capacitance C2. The resolution of such localization isdetermined by the physical size of the transmitter coils and thesensitivity of the detection units.

FIG. 17 shows a circuitry 1702 embodiment where the detection unit 1704measures a voltage instead of a current. To be able to make use of acentral detection unit 1704 and a central power signal generator servingmultiple primary cells, switches S4 and S5 are added. This allows toequip the transmitter with a more advanced and costly implementation ofboth the signal generator and detection unit 1704, as a result of whichthe cost per primary cell is only moderately increased.

S4 can be part of a multiplexer allowing selective connection of aprimary cell to a central oscillator. S5 can be part of a multiplexerallowing selective connection of a primary cell to a detection unit.

During power transfer S4 is closed while S3 and S5 are open. Duringlocalization of a device, on the transmitter, the switch S4 is open foreach primary cell that is involved in the localization. To examine achange of device localization, the following is repeated cyclically foreach involved primary cell, using a predefined cycle time.

At the beginning of the cycle, the capacitor C2 of the primary cell ischarged with a DC voltage by closing the switch S3 for a short period oftime.

During the cycle, the capacitor discharges via a (parasitic) resistor Rof a known high value.

At the end of the cycle, the voltage change is measured by a detectionunit. Switch S5 is closed for this purpose.

The following situations should be differentiated:

If no device was present on top of the primary cell and no device isplaced on the primary cell, the capacitance of C2 is not changed and themeasured voltage will be within a pre-defined range according to thedischarging of the capacitor over the resistor within the cycle time.

If no device was present on top of the primary cell and a device isplaced on the primary cell, the capacitance of C2 is increased and themeasured voltage will be below a pre-defined range according to thedischarging of the capacitor over the resistor within the cycle time

If a device was present on top of the primary cell and the device hasbeen removed from the primary cell, the capacitance of C2 is decreasedand the measured voltage will be above a pre-defined range according tothe discharging of the capacitor over the resistor within the cycle time

If a device was present on top of the primary cell and the device hasnot been removed from the primary cell, the capacitance of C2 is notchanged and the measured voltage will be within a pre-defined rangeaccording to the discharging of the capacitor over the resistor withinthe cycle time.

A further method of detecting and localizing a device measures thecapacitance of C2 by using an AC instead of a DC source.

The described method can be applied to detect and localize devices on atransmitter in order to select one or more transmitter coils for powertransfer to a receiver.

The described method can be applied in conjunction with an existingdetection and receiver localization method that requires a power signalon a transmitter coil that lasts relatively long in order to wait for aresponse of a receiver to the power signal (e.g. by providing data usingload modulation). In this case the described method can limit the numberof transmitter coils that need to be examined by the existing method,causing a limitation of the total power and time for examining thetransmitter coils upon a response of a receiver.

In FIG. 18 an outline of a transmitter circuit 1100 is shown fordetecting the capacitance between coils Lx1, Lx2. The circuit consistsexemplarily of two half bridges 1811, 1812. Each one of the half bridgesis exemplarily equipped with two MOSFET Switches. Each switch consistsof an active controllable path 1101 which embraces a capacitance Cds1802 and a freewheeling diode 1803. The center tap of the half bridge isconnected to a transmitter coil Lx1 1806, Lx2 via a resonance capacitorCr 1804 and optionally a series inductance Lr 1805. The resonancefrequency of the circuit is determined by the capacitance, the seriesinductance and the leakage inductance of the transformer.

In FIG. 18, exemplarily, two half bridges 1811, 1812, which supply theac-voltage to the resonant circuit during power transmission, aredepicted for explanation purposes. A higher number of transmitter coilsand supply circuits may be used in an arrangement as shown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 18 the transmitter coils Lx1, Lx2 are supplied by means of halfbridges 1811, 1812. This arrangement is used for explanation purposes.Other arrangements for the ac-voltage supply (for example full bridgearrangement or a Class-A/B analog amplifier) are thinkable.

In FIG. 19 an outline of a second transmitter circuit 1900 is shown fordetecting the capacitance between a transmitter coil 1806 and anelectrode 1909 positioned in the center of the transmitter coil 1806.

In a further embodiment, the self-capacitance of the transmitter coilsis measured. Since it is a planar coil, the self-capacitance increasesif a device with capacitive properties is placed on the transmittercoil. The self-capacitance can e.g. be measured by measuring theself-resonance of the transmitter coil. If the self-resonance decreasesbelow a pre-defined reference frequency, a device is detected. Tomeasure the self-resonance, several methods are known in the art.

In a further embodiment, the transmitter winding is split into an innerand an outer part of the winding. Both parts are located concentricallyin the same horizontal layer. They are connected by a switch (e.g. atransistor). If the switch is open, the arrangement becomes a capacitivearrangement, where the inner part and the outer part are used aselectrodes. The capacity between these electrodes increases if a devicewith capacitive properties is placed on top of the arrangement. Bymeasuring the capacity using one of the described methods, a device canbe detected. If a device is detected, the switch is closed to operatethe transmitter coil as an inductive power transmitter.

In an embodiment the capacitance is measured in the frequency domain.The embodiment described implies two capacitances Ck 1807 at theterminals of each involved transmitter coil 1806. To measure thecapacitance between the exemplarily shown two coils as shown in FIG. 18the terminals of both coils are connected in an identical way. Acapacitance measuring unit 1813 is located at the junction points of thecoupling capacitors Ck 1807. To measure the capacitance of a coil andits centered electrode 1909 as shown in FIG. 19, the capacitancemeasuring unit 1813 is located between the junction point of thecoupling capacitors Ck 1807 and its centered electrode 1909. Preferablythe measurement frequency is different from the operation frequency ofthe transmitter coil. The method described herein uses a low-costdedicated capacitance measurement unit 1813.

The driver half-bridge plus an additional resistor can be used tofulfill the capacitance measurement. The individual coils which areaddressed in one measurement cycle are decoupled by means of amultiplexer which may comprise relays. The ac-measurement is done byproviding an ac-voltage to one capacitance terminal (which is given by afirst winding coil). The ac-frequency is generated by means of thetransmitter coil driver. However, a high frequency, preferably in thelow MHz-range, is suitable for capacitance measurement. Thus, thefrequency limitation or the transmitter coil driver has to be validated.

The capacitance measurement is done more accurately by means of acapacitance measurement circuit 1813. This measurement unit 1813 isconnected to the transmitter coils via a capacitance 1807.

The series inductance Lr 1805 decouples the high frequency used for thecapacitance measurement from the switch parasitic capacitances Cds 1802.

The capacitance between two coils Lx1, Lx2, or between a coil Lx1, 1806and its centered electrode 1909 will change when an object, implying acertain electrical conductivity or showing a high permittivity, isplaced on, or removed from the transmitter coil(s).

Connecting the coils in the way shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 willprovide a capacitive coupling to the winding and will avoid disturbancescaused by external influence.

The capacitance measured by unit 1813 in FIG. 18 indicates whether areceiver coil is covering (part of) two transmitter coils Lx1, Lx2, ornot. By measuring the capacitance between each neighboring pair oftransmitter coils Lx1, Lx2, the transmitter can calculate the locationof a receiver coil, e.g. by summing up the measured capacitance for eachtransmitter cell towards its neighbor transmitter coils. This methodworks as long as the receiver coil is at least covering part of twotransmitter coils (e.g. when the receiver coil is larger than eachtransmitter coil)

The capacitance measured by unit 1813 in FIG. 19 indicates whether areceiver coil is covering (part of) the transmitter coil and itscentered electrode. This method indicates directly if a receiver coil ispositioned above a transmitter coil and can also be applied if thereceiver coil is covering (a part of) one transmitter coil only.

In another exemplary embodiment, the capacity between the electrodes ismeasured by applying a pulse or a step function to the capacitivearrangement to measure the capacitance in the time domain. The pulsegenerator is connected to the capacitive arrangement with a definedresistor in series. The voltage between the electrodes is measured.

In an exemplary embodiment, a step function is applied to the circuitafter the capacitance arrangement is discharged. This can beapproximated by a pulse, which is sufficiently long to be considered asa step function for all cases that may possibly occur. The rise time andthe decay time of this voltage depends on the capacitance of thecapacitive arrangement and can thus be related to the presence of anobject between the electrodes of the capacitive arrangement. The risetime of the electrode voltage is measured by comparing the electrodevoltage to a reference voltage using a comparator. A controller canmeasure the time from the beginning of the step function to the timewhen the comparator changes its output. If this time exceeds apre-defined value, a device is detected. The reference value can beadapted continuously by the control algorithm.

In a further exemplary embodiment, a pulse of defined length andamplitude is applied after the capacitive arrangement is discharged. Indetail, the pulse shape and length is selected such that the amount ofcharge delivered to the electrodes is well defined. After the pulse isapplied, the voltage at the electrodes is measured and compared to areference value. If the capacitive arrangement has a low capacitance,which corresponds to “no device on top”, the resulting voltage is high.If a device with capacitive properties is placed on the arrangement, thearrangement has a high capacitance. Then the resulting voltage is low.Thus, if the measured voltage is below a reference value, a device isdetected.

A further embodiment is shown in FIGS. 20a, 20b , 20 c.

If an object with high permittivity, (but which is not a receiver coil)is placed on the transmitter coil(s), the value of the measuredcapacitance will change as well. Placing, for example, a key on thesurface will influence the capacitance between the coils or between acoil and its centered electrode also. In both mentioned cases thetransmitter coils will not start to transmit power, since the unitsplaced on the surface are not valid units to receive powered.

To distinguish and identify a receiver coil two methods may be used.

An embodiment to identify a valid receiver uses the dielectric materialproperties of the receiver. The embodiment consists of a dedicatedmaterial around or, at least, at the lower surface of the receiver,which has a defined frequency behavior. This can be achieved byproviding a housing (for example of plastics) which has afrequency-dependent impedance. The frequency-dependence can be achievedby using the Debye relaxation, which is the dielectric relaxationresponse of an ideal, non-interacting population of dipoles to analternating external electric field. Knowing the housing material of thereceiver coil, detection and specially identification of the housing canbe carried out. In FIG. 21 the dielectric permittivity spectrum over awide range of frequencies is shown. The real and imaginary parts ofpermittivity are shown, and various processes are depicted: ionic anddipolar relaxation, and atomic and electronic resonances at higherenergies. Knowing the special frequencies of the electronic, atomic,dipole and ionic relaxation frequencies, the material can be identified.Using dedicated materials, the material-specific relaxation frequenciescan be set to a desired frequency. Preferably the identification is doneat frequencies which are different from the operation frequency of thecoil/power transfer operation.

Another embodiment to identify a valid receiver uses afrequency-dependent electric permittivity, which will change withfrequency without using the Debye relaxation effect. This can berealized by adding a dedicated material between the receiver coil andthe housing. The set-up is shown in FIGS. 20a, 20b , 20 c.

The system consists of a transmitter coil array housing 2001 in whichthe transmitter coils 2002 are located. Each transmitter coil consistsoptionally of a magnetic core 2004 which improves the magnetic fluxcharacteristic of the transmitter coils. The magnetic core can be eitherindividual for each core or a common magnetic backplane can beimplemented.

In another embodiment to identify a valid receiver, the receiver winding2005 is embedded in and electrically connected to a material 2006 with adefined electric permittivity. Thus, the receiver winding acts as aninductance/capacitance network. The equivalent electrical circuit isshown in FIG. 20 b.

For explanation purposes only three transmitter coils and one receivercoil are shown in the Figure. However, more than three transmitter coilsand/or receiver coils are thinkable. The drawing is rotatedcounter-clockwise.

The transmitter coils 2002 and the capacitance measurement unit 2013,2014 are located in the transmitter housing 2001. The receiver coils2005 are located in the receiver housing 2003. Each winding turn Lw hasa defined capacitance Cw which determines in total a specific resonancefrequency. With respect to the location of the receiver coil, themeasured capacitance between the first winding and the second windingwill differ from the capacitance measured between the second and thirdwinding. Only the capacitance measurement between the windings is partof this embodiment. Changing the measuring frequency will show thefrequency-dependence of the measured capacitance. Since the impedancewill change with respect to the frequency, the presence of a receivercan be distinguished from the presence of other items placed on thetransmitter array. The specific frequency-dependence can be used as akey. If different types of receivers (for example different powerdemands/characteristics) are placed on the transmitter array, they canbe identified and addressed in terms of power demand or charging demandindividually. In this embodiment the capacitance measurement frequencyand the frequency at which the frequency-dependency of the receiver coilchanges is different from the operating frequency when supplying powerto the receiver coil.

The capacitances added to the receiver coils may be smaller than aseries capacitance, which may be applied in addition to the receivercoil. Thus, the embedded capacitance will not influence the powertransmission characteristic.

In the outline described above, the unit to measure thecapacitance/frequency dependence of the device is connected at thewinding terminals of the transmitter coil. Alternatively, themeasurement unit can be connected to the center-tap of each of thetransmitter coils. This outline is shown in FIG. 20 c.

FIG. 22 depicts a low standby power architecture 2200. In thisarchitecture 2200, the bias supply 2204 which often dominates stand-bypower dissipation is switched off by means of an AC switch 2202 when thetransmitter is in sleep state (i.e. standby mode). During this state,only the controller 2208 and the detection circuits 2210 are poweredfrom the energy stored in a capacitor 2209. This subsystem is separatedfrom the rest of the transmitter electronics by means of a switch 2205to ensure that only these two components are powered from the storagecapacitor 2209. A small program running on the controller 2208periodically checks if its supply voltage, for example, the voltageacross the capacitor 2209, is still sufficiently high. If this is notthe case, both switches 2202, 2205 are closed for a short period torecharge the storage capacitor 2209. In this way the controller 2208 anddetection circuits 2210 are always powered while the rest of the systemis in low-power sleep mode most of the time.

Using normally closed switches 2202, 2205 will alleviate the cold startproblem, i.e. when the transmitter is first connected to mains it willbe powered completely until the controller 2208 decides that the systemshould enter the sleep mode, i.e. when no device is present on thetransmitter surface.

The system 2200 is woken up when a stimulus 2212 is applied to thetransmitter that is detected by detection electronics 2210, which sendsa signal to the controller 2208 indicating that the system 2200 shouldwake up. The controller 2208 will then close both switches 2202, 2205 topower the complete transmitter electronics.

The stimulus 2212 applied should in a wireless power transmitter beindicative of the placement of a receiver device on the transmittersurface. Stimulus detection based on capacitive detection has beendescribed in previous embodiments.

FIG. 23 schematically shows a flow diagram of the method according tothe first aspect of the invention. The method is performed by a wirelesspower transmitter to detect a receiver device. The wireless powertransmitter comprises a first electrode of a capacitor and a secondelectrode of the capacitor. The wireless power transmitter furthercomprises detection circuitry connected to any one of the electrodes.The method comprises the step 2302 of applying a voltage to another oneof the electrodes, and the step 2304 of detecting by a detectioncircuitry a capacitance change between the capacitor formed by theelectrodes. The detected capacitance change may be seen as an eventrelating to a receiver device. The method may further comprise the step2306 of waking up a transmission device, being the wireless powertransmitter, so that the transmission device is activated to be able topower the receiver device or communicate with the receiver device. Inother words, the transmitter is activated.

FIG. 23 may also be used to explain the method 2300 according to thethird aspect of the invention. The method 2300 is a method of detectinga receiver by a transmitter. The transmitter is intended to transmitpower inductively to the receiver. The transmitter comprises a firsttransmission coil as an electrode. The electrode forms a capacitor withground or with the receiver. In a first step 2302 of the method 2300, avoltage is applied to the electrode. In a second step 2304 of the method2300, a capacitance change of the capacitor is detected.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustraterather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art willbe able to design many alternative embodiments without departing fromthe scope of the appended claims.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall notbe construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and itsconjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps otherthan those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding anelement does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising severaldistinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. Inthe device claim enumerating several means, several of these means maybe embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact thatcertain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims doesnot indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used toadvantage.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of detecting a receiver by atransmitter via a capacitance change, the method comprising: providing,in the transmitter, a first transmission coil as a first electrode;providing, in the transmitter, a second electrode; forming a capacitorby the first electrode and the second electrode of the transmitter;applying a voltage to one of the first electrode and the secondelectrode; detecting a presence of the receiver based on the capacitancechange of the capacitor, wherein the capacitance change is detectedbased on a current flowing through the capacitor.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising providing a second transmissioncoil in the transmitter, wherein the second transmission coil is thesecond electrode.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the firsttransmission coil comprises a winding having an inner loop, the methodfurther comprising positioning the second electrode of the capacitor ata center of the inner loop of the winding.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein a winding of the first transmission coil comprises aninner part of the winding and an outer part of the winding, wherein theinner part of the winding is the first electrode, and wherein the outerpart of the winding is the second electrode.
 5. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality of capacitorsformed by a plurality of first electrode and second electrode pairs, themethod further comprising: identifying the capacitors of the pluralityof capacitors having a change in capacitance, and determining a positionof the receiver based on the identified capacitors.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises activatingthe transmitter such that the transmitter starts communicating with thereceiver or transmits power to the receiver.
 7. A transmitter fordetecting a receiver via a capacitance change, the transmittercomprising: a first transmission coil as a first electrode; a secondelectrode forming a capacitor with the first electrode; a voltage sourceconfigured to apply a voltage to one of the first electrode and thesecond electrode; and a detection circuit connected to one of the firstelectrode and the second electrode, wherein the detection circuit isconfigured to detect the capacitance change of the capacitor based on acurrent flowing through the capacitor such that a presence of thereceiver is detected.
 8. The transmitter according to claim 7, furthercomprising a second transmission coil, wherein the second transmissioncoil is the second electrode.
 9. The transmitter according to claim 7,wherein the first transmission coil comprises a winding having an innerloop, and wherein the second electrode is positioned at a center of theinner loop of the winding.
 10. The transmitter according to claim 9,wherein the transmitter comprises a control circuit configured toactivate the transmitter such that the transmitter starts communicatingwith the receiver or transmit power to the receiver.
 11. The transmitteraccording to claim 7, wherein a winding of the first transmission coilcomprises an inner part of the winding and an outer part of the winding,wherein the inner part of the winding is the first electrode and theouter part of the winding is the second electrode.
 12. The transmitteraccording to claim 7, wherein the transmitter comprises a plurality ofcapacitors formed by a plurality of first electrode and second electrodepairs, wherein the detection circuit is configured to identify thecapacitors of the plurality of capacitors having a change incapacitance, and wherein the detection circuit is configured todetermine a position of the receiver based on the identified capacitors.13. A method of detecting a receiver by a transmitter via a capacitancechange, the method comprising: providing, in the transmitter, a firsttransmission coil as an electrode; applying a voltage to the electrode;and detecting a capacitance change of a capacitor based on a currentflowing through the capacitor, such that a presence of the receiver isdetected, wherein the capacitor is formed by the electrode and anelectrical ground or the capacitor is formed by the electrode and thereceiver.
 14. A transmitter for detecting a receiver via a capacitancechange, the transmitter comprising: a first transmission coil as anelectrode, a voltage source configured to apply a voltage to theelectrode; and a detection circuit connected to the electrode, whereinthe detection circuit is configured to detect the capacitance change ofa capacitor based on a current flowing through the capacitor such that apresence of the receiver is detected, and wherein the capacitor isformed by the electrode and an electrical ground or the capacitor isformed by the electrode and the receiver.
 15. The transmitter accordingto claim 14, further comprising a second transmission coil, wherein thesecond transmission coil forms a second electrode.
 16. The transmitteraccording to claim 15, wherein the second electrode is positioned in acenter of the first transmission coil.
 17. The transmitter according toclaim 14, wherein the transmitter comprises a control circuit configuredto activate the transmitter such that the transmitter startscommunicating with the receiver or transmitting power to the receiver.18. The transmitter according to claim 14, wherein a winding of thefirst transmission coil comprises an inner part of the winding and anouter part of the winding, wherein the inner part of the winding is thefirst electrode and the outer part of the winding is a second electrode.19. The transmitter according to claim 14, wherein the transmittercomprises a plurality of capacitors formed by a plurality of firstelectrode and second electrode pairs, wherein the detection circuit isconfigured to identify the capacitors of the plurality of capacitorshaving a change in capacitance, and wherein the detection circuit isconfigured to determine a position of the receiver based on theidentified capacitors.